Home ground success edges UQ closer to historic sevens title

The University of Queensland female rugby union team has extended its lead in the Aon Uni 7s Series after winning its third-consecutive tournament.

Team UQ dominated its home event at the UQ Sport Athletics Centre, winning all five Round 3 matches to remain unbeaten in 15 games this series.

UQ faced Macquarie University in the gold medal match, with Lily Dick and Australian Sevens player Emilee Cherry scoring tries in the 12-7 win.

The final was a rematch of UQ’s Pool A contest against Macquarie, with the tournament hosts prevailing 21-5.

Team UQ also posted victories over University of Adelaide (29-5), University of Tasmania (17-7) and Bond University (17-7).

UQ’s Grace Kaihau said the squad was delighted with the result.

“This tournament was about backing up and working hard for each other and that’s what we did in the end,” Kaihau said.

“We have experienced players like Emilee Cherry out there who keep us composed.

“It’s pretty crazy (to win three tournaments) – we still have to come out and play like we have nothing to lose, as we know the other teams are chasing us.”

Bond University – silver medallists in the first two rounds – took bronze after defeating University of Canberra 19-12.

Australian University Sport CEO Don Knapp said he was impressed by the match quality.

“Each university’s student-athletes are showing solid performances with significant improvement from round one in Launceston, but The University of Queensland has emerged as a formidable opponent with their third-straight win,” Knapp said.

“As the series comes to a head, we are seeing the abundant talent of university student-athletes, determined to forge a pathway to represent Australia on the international Rugby Sevens stage.”

The inaugural Uni 7s Series will conclude with Round 4 being held at Bond University’s Gold Coast campus on 29-30 September.

Aon Uni 7s Series Ladder (after Round 3):

1st: The University of Queensland (60 points)
2nd: Bond University (52 points)
3rd: Macquarie University (48 points)
4th: Griffith University (38 points)
5th: University of Canberra (34 points)
6th: University of Adelaide (30 points)
7th: University of New England (26 points)
8th: University of Tasmania (24 points)Jamie Mitchell